Maine State troopers and Falmouth and Freeport police spent hours Saturday night searching the Freeport woods for a driver who left the scene of an injury accident on Route 295 just after 7 p.m.
Field supervisor Sgt. Robert Burke of the Maine State Police said the driver of a Jeep Cherokee that rear-ended a pickup truck on southbound I-295 near mile marker 19 fled the scene and was heard crashing around in the woods. Troopers set up a perimeter around Old County Road and Moxie Drive and used a tracking dog from Falmouth in an attempt to track the suspect but were unsuccessful.
The driver of the pickup truck sustained minor back injuries, he said.
“We wanted to make sure he wasn’t injured and passed out in the woods,” Burke said. They believe the driver may have gotten a ride from someone and left the area.
Based on the car’s registration, police believe the driver was Michael Mingo, 36. His mother, Diana Flanagan of Portland, told officers Mingo was the last known operator of the vehicle, according to Burke.
Burke said Mingo may face charges for leaving the scene of an injury accident and failing to report the crash. “Other charges may be pending,” he added.
The Maine State Police is asking for anyone with information on the driver’s whereabouts to contact Trooper Justin Cooley at 657-3030.
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